The first friend I knew that went bald did so right before the bald spot on the back of his head became officially bald. He had the slightest bit of hair there. He ended up with the Phil Collins island in the front, and I am glad he never had to wear that around. He looks good bald, but I don't there is a man alive that can pull off the island of hair look successfully.
It looks like I will eventually get the Monk look...where I have a giant bald spot in the back, but full head of hair elsewhere.